Umbrella



(No Model.)

- J. I. BARNHURST.

' UMBRELLA.

No. 349,476. Patented Sept. 21. 1886.

WITNESSES: )NVENTOR N PETERSPholo-bmcgnphor. Washin ton. 0.0.

UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

JAMES IRWIN BARNHURST, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

UMBRELLA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of LettersPatent No. 349,476, dated September 21, 1886.

Application filed May 5, 1886.

T0 aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES IRWIN BARN- HURST, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city and county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Umbrellas, of which the following is a full, clear, and 6X- act. description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, of which- Figure 1 represents a detached rib and stretcher of an umbrella having my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a section, as on line a b, Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a similar sectional view of the invention, in connection with a solid stretcher, instead of the fluted or Paragon frame stretcher. Fig. 4. is a medial longitudinal section of an umbrella-frame in which the invention is embodied with the ribs. sprung out. Fig. 5 is a like sectional view with the ribs closed or folded.

The object of this invention is to provide an improved means for causing the ribs of umbrella-frames to be thrown outwardly from the stick, whereby the free ends of the ribs, when released from the closed position, are retained at a considerable distance from the stick, and thus the hand is permitted to read ily operate the runner in order to openthe umbrella, and, secondly, whereby the locking of the ribs, frequently occurring with ordi-' nary umbrellas, is obviated.

Referring now to the annexed drawings, a are the ribs, b the stretchers, c the stick, and d the runner, of an ordinary umbrella or parasol. At apoint adjacent to the pivotal connection 0c of the respective ribs and stretchers I secure to each of the former, in a convenient manner, a lug or spud, E, that projects in-- wardly toward the stretcher b, and which spud, when the frame is entirely or nearly closed, impinges against the stretcher, as shown the drawings. Iprefer to form and attach the said lug to the frame in the following manner: I take a piece of sheet-iron or other metal, and by means of well-known tools, bend Serial No. 201,131 (No model.)

and close the same firmly around the rib, so that it will be retained securely in place. These lugs may be readily applied to ordinary umbrellas, and they may be set at any desired distance from the connection of the ribs and stretchers.

The normal relative position of thestretchers when the projections E are in contact therewith is seen in Figs. 1 and 4, and this position they instantly assume, owing to the elasticity of the ribs, when the ends of the latter are released from the usual sliding cup, f, or other holding device. When they occupy this position, the hand can freely reach the runner, and the umbrella may be opened Without any looking or interference of the parts, for the reason that the ribs are prevented from coming upon or passing inwardly beyond the cen- I ter of their pivotal connections m.

Lugs E may be secured to the stretchers in lieu of the ribs with the same results.

I am aware of the fact that the stretchers of umbrellas and parasols have been provided near their pivotal connections with the ribs with an outward bend or angle constituting a tending to spring the latter out from the stick when the ends of the ribs were released from the retaining-cup when the umbrella is closed. I do not, therefore, claim that construction to be comprised by my present invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure byLetters Patent In an umbrella-frame, the combination,with the ribs and stretchers, of the lugs E, made separate from the frame and secured thereto, and adapted to operate substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof-I have hereunto affixed my signature this 9th day of April, A. D. 1886.

JAMES IRWIN BARNHURST. WVitnesses:

'JNO. NOLAN,

H. LAUSSAT GEYE IN.

. 7 0 shoulder, against which the ribs impinged, thus I 

